CU Schools Foundation Announces 2022 Distinguished Alumni Honorees
The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) announced its 2022 Distinguished Alumni Honorees, which include USD #116 graduates whose achievements, strength of character and citizenship serve as role models to inspire and challenge today’s youth.
Awards will be presented to Distinguished Alumni from each public high school, as well as the Local Hero and Local Business Community Impact Honoree.
Representing Urbana District #116 as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni honoree is Herbert Burnett, a 1982 graduate of Urbana High School.
Burnett attended Parkland College, Eastern Illinois and served 20 years in the U.S. Army in both Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Returning to his C-U roots, Herbert runs a clothing store Suits by Soouljah, has served as associate pastor, substitute teacher, coach, referee, and founded the Leadership Development Academy. Herbert is the CEO/founder of Not on My Watch (NOMW) created to commit outreach, connection and support for the challenges of young black males through hope and accountability. He co-hosts an Urbana Public Television show “Let the Truth be Told”, and volunteers regularly at the juvenile detention center, providing guidance and connection to struggling youth. His nominator Eric Minor says, “Herbert is someone focused on doing something about the challenges facing our community’s youth. He refuses to sit back and wait for others to get involved. He always jumps in with both feet, and stays engaged until something positive occurs.”
Smile Politely online magazine, founded by 1997 Urbana High School graduate Seth Fein, will be awarded the Local Business Community Impact Award. This award recognizes local business owners who graduated from Champaign Unit 4 or Urbana School District 116 high schools and have demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy, service, or volunteerism.
Seth is the founder and publisher of Smile Politely, an online community magazine reporting on the arts, culture and culinary scenes around Champaign Urbana. Seth has also dedicated himself to showcasing music in the community by creating the Pygmalion Festival, a four-day event celebrating music, technology, art, literature and food in CU. His nominator Terri Reifsteck says, “Seth is an Urbana native son, advocate for funding the arts and champion for showcasing the best that his community has to offer.”
A celebratory reception is tentatively planned at the I Hotel on Friday, April 8th from 5-6:30 pm pending COVID protocols. Ticket information will be available in February at www.cusf.org.
